Assessor Resource

ACMCAN402A
Manage enclosures and exhibits

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


The unit is applicable to senior or more experienced keepers with extensive zoo keeping or related experience.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This unit of competency covers the process of supervising animal care and housing operations, supervising staff and implementing plans for the commissioning of new or renovated enclosures or exhibits.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

manage the operations of enclosures and exhibits

supervise enclosure and exhibit staff

submit development or renovations proposals to management

implement plans for the commissioning of new or renovated enclosures or exhibits

maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to manage enclosures and exhibits must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace. Workplaces may include small or large captive animal facilities, traditional or open-range type facilities and mobile or theme park environments.

There must be access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

develop/review operating procedures

evaluate enclosure or exhibit status, including security

identify animal housing behavioural and physical requirements

implement facility policies and procedures and advise on animal care strategies

implement environmentally safe and effective pest control procedures

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

maintain records and complete workplace documents

manage staff effectively

monitor enclosure and exhibit security and safety

literacy skills to read and follow institutional policies and procedures, including OHS and waste management; develop sequenced written instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the facility, including questioning techniques, active listening, training others and consulting with staff, other departments, relevant experts and management

numeracy skills to complete mathematical calculations relating to enclosure and exhibit designs and maintenance

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to use available resources and schedule workplace activities.

Required knowledge

animal biology and husbandry requirements relevant to enclosures and exhibits

animal husbandry manuals and other recordkeeping requirements

educational and interpretive functions of enclosures

environmental enrichment related to exhibit species

exhibit maintenance and security requirements

institution master plan and collection management policy

pest identification and management techniques

principles of animal welfare and ethics

principles of enclosure landscaping and horticulture, including basic working knowledge of exhibit plants and weeds

principles and protocols for enclosure or exhibit design, including aesthetics, function and effects of introduced fixtures and features

principles of naturalistic landscaping for enclosures and exhibits

relevant facility policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures, animal welfare, ethics, hygiene standards and other industry guidelines

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and codes of practice

safe work practices

security control principles

specialist enclosures for different animals

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Enclosures and exhibits may include:

defined spaces where animals are kept and includes both:

exhibit public viewing areas

off-exhibit holding spaces

enclosures and exhibits may be for:

existing species

new single species

multi-species.

Safe work practices include:

applying appropriate manual handling techniques when packaging and handling loads, including animals and equipment

hazard identification and risk minimisation:

handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals

handling and disposal of biological wastes

following personal and workplace hygiene procedures

using infection control procedures to minimise risks associated with:

zoonoses

release of infective agents (both animal and human)

chemical spillage

gas leakages

using machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturers' instructions

using personal protective equipment and clothing:

animal handling gauntlets

appropriate footwear

ear muffs/plugs

protective masks

safety gloves

safety goggles and glasses

sun hat and sunscreen lotion.

Enclosure and exhibit security may include:

checking for pests within animal housing or enclosures

checking there are no unauthorised people in animal enclosures

checking that locks and slides are in good working order

ensuring animals are safe and secure in their housing

identifying any animal housing faults that may result in escape

maintaining structures in good order.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Animal welfare requirements include:

adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels

compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations and international conventions

enrichment opportunities

the absence of pests and vermin

the compatibility of species and breeds.

Animal care strategies may include:

artificial rearing

breeding

enrichment

handling, restraining and transporting.

Pests may include:

cockroaches, spiders, ants and flying insects

predators and parasites

rats and mice.

Development and renovation proposals may include:

availability of animals

cover requirements

enjoyment and education

environmental and social enrichment

immersion techniques

institution conservation policy and collection plan

keeper access and safety

safety and security

solitary and social animals

space allocation between public and non-public areas

sound and touch

visitor intrusion.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Personnel, material and equipment required to manage and maintain enclosures and exhibits are identified. 
Recruitment and induction of personnel is arranged in accordance with facility policies and procedures as appropriate. 
Rosters are developed and coordinated to balance job requirements, responsibility levels and skill development opportunities. 
Safe work practices are communicated and enforced for all staff members. 
Effective communication procedures are established and maintained with staff to review work operations and improve operational efficiency. 
Staff skills and knowledge gaps are identified and appropriate training is arranged. 
Enclosure and exhibit security and safety are regularly monitored in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) and animal welfarerequirements, and recommendations for improvements are prepared. 
Animal care strategies are regularly assessed and evaluated in consultation with animal handlers and other relevant personnel. 
Enclosure and exhibit maintenance works are regularly monitored to ensure compliance with OHS, animal welfare and hygiene standards requirements and facility policies and procedures. 
Environmentally safe and effective pest control procedures are implemented as required. 
Identified urgent maintenance works are initiated in a timely manner. 
Animal housing maintenance records are updated as required. 
Current exhibit status is reviewed in consultation with facility staff. 
Enclosure and exhibit development and renovation proposals are submitted to management for consideration as required. 
Factors that may impact on the commissioning of new or renovated enclosures and exhibits are identified and assessed. 
Operating procedures for new or renovated exhibits are developed/reviewed and evaluated in consultation with relevant departments and colleagues. 
Animal handling and other operations staff are briefed on revised operating procedures. 
Facility master plan is updated. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMCAN402A - Manage enclosures and exhibits
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ACMCAN402A - Manage enclosures and exhibits

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: